Questions about the pharmacy scheme

The Pharmacy of Your Choice (POYC) Scheme is already running in several localities in Malta. However, I have a number of questions which merit some thought! These are:

1. If the POYC scheme was created with the aim of cutting long queuing times at government pharmacies, will we be privileged to jump the queue in a private pharmacy full of people waiting behind the counter?

2. Private pharmacies once closed down for a whole day in protest against the government's intention to liberalise their monopoly. What will happen in the event that they have to strike again when in the near future many more thousands of people will have to depend solely on their mercy?

3. How would people working in retail outlets that operate at similar working times as private pharmacies manage to pick up their medicines?

4. Government pharmacy employees refer patients to other pharmacies if a medicine is out of stock. Will this procedure still occur with private pharmacies?

5. So much was said about the need for proper patient counselling. How will this be naturally possible (not via computers!) if the medicines are prepared at one place and are then distributed by another person usually working on part-time rotational basis or as locum pharmacist?

6. With government pharmacies, the doctor and pharmacist are usually found in the same building of the Health Centre. Will we be exempted from paying clinic or waiting area fees if the need arises to see a GP in the clinic of the pharmacy in order to prescribe the required free medicines?

7. Will private pharmacies continue to be granted permission to close down for vacation periods, sickness and family mourning?

8. In case of any change of ownership of a private pharmacy, will the buyer automatically bind him/herself to accept the POYC scheme?

9. Are all private pharmacies equipped with ramps, lifts and so on, in order to aid people with disabilities?

10. Can one decide to pick up the medicines whenever he/she wants, for example 15 days or more after they are due to be picked up?